When an instruction for combine setting is accepted, a reduction ratio of an original image is set as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of the original image and an orientation of output paper. When an instruction to change the reduction ratio for the previewed original image is accepted, if a reduction ratio after the change (a second reduction ratio) falls within a prescribed range from the first reduction ratio, the first reduction ratio is set as a reduction ratio of the original image for arranging onto a sheet of output paper in combination.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An image forming apparatus for performing combine setting, comprising: an input unit for accepting an operation input by a user; a setting unit for performing combine setting for arranging a plurality of designated original images onto a sheet of output paper in combination; and a display unit for previewing at least one original image of said plurality of designated original images and an output result thereof on a display device, wherein when said input unit accepts an instruction for combine setting, said setting unit executes a first setting process of setting a reduction ratio of said original image as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of said original image and an orientation of said output paper, and when said input unit accepts an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image, said setting unit executes a second setting process of calculating a reduction ratio after said change as a second reduction ratio, comparing said first reduction ratio with said second reduction ratio, and, if said second reduction ratio falls within a prescribed range from said first reduction ratio, setting said first reduction ratio as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in said first setting process, when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an odd power and when said original image and said output paper are in a same orientation, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/2N, and when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an odd power and when said original image and said output paper are in different orientations, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/N, and when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an even power and when said original image and said output paper are in a same orientation, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/N, and when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an even power and when said original image and said output paper are in different orientations, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/2N.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when said input unit does not accept an instruction for combine setting, said setting unit does not perform said first setting process and compares a reduction ratio stored beforehand with a reduction ratio of said original image in said previewed output result, and, if said reduction ratio stored beforehand is greater than said reduction ratio in said preview, said setting unit sets said reduction ratio stored beforehand as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said display device includes a touch panel as one of said input unit, and said setting unit calculates said second reduction ratio based on a moving distance of a touch position with said instruction to change the reduction ratio that is accepted by said touch panel as said input unit.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said display unit updates said preview of said output result according to the reduction ratio set in said second setting process in said setting unit, and, in said update, displays a layout frame according to a size of said output paper and a number of said original images to be arranged in combination such that said layout frame is superimposed on said preview of said output result.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when said input unit accepts an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image, said display unit displays, in said preview of said output result, an output result in which a plurality of original images are combined according to the reduction ratio set in said second setting process.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said display unit previews said plurality of original images with page numbers.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a setting unit for presetting a reduction ratio to be adopted as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination, from between the reduction ratio set in accordance with the instruction for combine setting in said input unit and the reduction ratio set in accordance with the instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image in said input unit.
9. An image forming apparatus for performing combine setting, comprising: an input unit for accepting an operation input by a user; a setting unit for performing combine setting for arranging a plurality of designated original images onto a sheet of output paper in combination; and a display unit for previewing at least one original image of said plurality of designated original images and an output result thereof on a display device, wherein when said input unit accepts an instruction for combine setting, said setting unit executes a first setting process of setting a reduction ratio of said original image as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of said original image and an orientation of said output paper, and when said input unit accepts an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image, said setting unit executes a second setting process of calculating a reduction ratio after said change as a second reduction ratio, comparing said first reduction ratio with said second reduction ratio, and, if said second reduction ratio is greater than said first reduction ratio, setting said first reduction ratio as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein in said first setting process, when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an odd power and when said original image and said output paper are in a same orientation, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/2N, and when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an odd power and when said original image and said output paper are in different orientations, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/N, and when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an even power and when said original image and said output paper are in a same orientation, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/N, and when a number N of originals to be combined is two to an even power and when said original image and said output paper are in different orientations, said setting unit sets a reduction ratio of said original to 1/2N.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein when said input unit does not accept an instruction for combine setting, said setting unit does not perform said first setting process and compares a reduction ratio stored beforehand with a reduction ratio of said original image in said previewed output result, and, if said reduction ratio stored beforehand is greater than said reduction ratio in said preview, said setting unit sets said reduction ratio stored beforehand as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said display device includes a touch panel as one of said input unit, and said setting unit calculates said second reduction ratio based on a moving distance of a touch position with said instruction to change the reduction ratio that is accepted by said touch panel as said input unit.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said display unit updates said preview of said output result according to the reduction ratio set in said second setting process in said setting unit, and, in said update, displays a layout frame according to a size of said output paper and a number of said original images to be arranged in combination such that said layout frame is superimposed on said preview of said output result.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein when said input unit accepts an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image, said display unit displays, in said preview of said output result, an output result in which a plurality of original images are combined according to the reduction ratio set in said second setting process.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said display unit previews said plurality of original images with page numbers.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a setting unit for presetting a reduction ratio to be adopted as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination, from between the reduction ratio set in accordance with the instruction for combine setting in said input unit and the reduction ratio set in accordance with the instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image in said input unit.
17. An image processing method in an image forming apparatus that performs combine setting, comprising the steps of: accepting an instruction for combine setting from an input device; setting a reduction ratio of an original image as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of said original image and an orientation of output paper in accordance with said instruction; previewing said original image and an output result thereof on a display device; accepting, from said input device, an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image; calculating a reduction ratio after said change as a second reduction ratio; and comparing said first reduction ratio with said second reduction ratio, and, if said second reduction ratio falls within a prescribed range from said first reduction ratio, setting said first reduction ratio as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
18. An image processing method in an image forming apparatus that performs combine setting, comprising the steps of: accepting an instruction for combine setting from an input device; setting a reduction ratio of an original image as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of said original image and an orientation of output paper in accordance with said instruction; previewing said original image and an output result thereof on a display device; accepting, from said input device, an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image; calculating a reduction ratio after said change as a second reduction ratio; and comparing said first reduction ratio with said second reduction ratio, and, if said second reduction ratio is greater than said first reduction ratio, setting said first reduction ratio as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program, which upon being executed causes a controller of an image forming apparatus to perform combine setting comprising the steps of: accepting an instruction for combine setting from an input device; setting a reduction ratio of an original image as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of said original image and an orientation of output paper in accordance with said instruction; previewing said original image and an output result thereof on a display device; accepting, from said input device, an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image; calculating a reduction ratio after said change as a second reduction ratio; and comparing said first reduction ratio with said second reduction ratio, and, if said second reduction ratio falls within a prescribed range from said first reduction ratio, setting said first reduction ratio as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program, which upon being executed causes a controller of an image forming apparatus to perform combine setting comprising the steps of: accepting an instruction for combine setting from an input device; setting a reduction ratio of an original image as a first reduction ratio based on an orientation of said original image and an orientation of output paper in accordance with said instruction; previewing said original image and an output result thereof on a display device; accepting, from said input device, an instruction to change the reduction ratio of said previewed original image; calculating a reduction ratio after said change as a second reduction ratio; and comparing said first reduction ratio with said second reduction ratio, and, if said second reduction ratio is greater than said first reduction ratio, setting said first reduction ratio as a reduction ratio of said original image for arranging on said sheet of output paper in combination.
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July 6, 2012
November 4, 2014
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